Note: VIDEO at the end of the article.
House Republicans have opened a sweeping new investigation into former President Joe Biden’s use of the presidential autopen, citing concerns that White House aides may have signed off on official documents—including legislation and pardons—without Biden’s direct authorization. The probe follows the emergence of a whistleblower from within Democratic circles, who has reportedly provided explosive allegations to the Trump-led Department of Justice.
On Thursday, the GOP-led House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, chaired by Rep. James Comer (R-KY), sent formal requests for transcribed interviews to several high-ranking figures from the Biden administration, including his former personal physician and four senior White House aides. The requests are part of what lawmakers describe as an urgent inquiry into whether Biden’s cognitive decline was intentionally concealed from the public—and whether staffers assumed executive responsibilities behind the scenes.
“The cover-up of President Biden’s obvious mental decline is a historic scandal,” Comer said in a statement. “The American people deserve to know when this decline began, how far it progressed, and who was making critical decisions on his behalf.”
A Whistleblower and a “Smoking Gun”
At the center of the controversy is new testimony provided to the DOJ by Ed Martin, Associate Deputy Attorney General, who claims to have spoken with a high-ranking Democratic whistleblower. The whistleblower, according to Martin, detailed how the autopen was used to sign presidential pardons without Biden’s involvement—and named three individuals who allegedly profited from facilitating or enabling the process.
The bombshell report has ignited speculation that key members of Biden’s inner circle may have bypassed the former president during critical moments of his administration, particularly in his final year in office. Martin referred to the revelation as a possible “smoking gun” in what is now being called the “autopen scandal.”
According to sources close to the Oversight Committee, the whistleblower provided names, dates, and supporting documents that could shed light on what Republicans are calling “executive impersonation.”
Who’s Being Called to Testify?
Chairman Comer’s letters target five individuals with direct access to President Biden during his time in office:
-
Dr. Kevin O’Connor – Biden’s longtime physician, who repeatedly assured the public of the president’s mental and physical fitness.
-
Neera Tanden – Former Director of the Domestic Policy Council.
-
Anthony Bernal – Senior adviser to First Lady Jill Biden.
-
Annie Tomasini – Former Deputy Chief of Staff.
-
Ashley Williams – Deputy Director of Oval Office Operations.
Comer and other GOP lawmakers are particularly interested in whether these aides took steps to conceal Biden’s health challenges or signed documents on his behalf without legal authority.
“The committee remains concerned that you … were involved in running interference on behalf of the former President and perhaps performing duties exclusively reserved for the President of the United States,” Comer wrote in a letter to Tomasini.
Stage IV Cancer Diagnosis Adds Urgency
The investigation also comes in the wake of Biden’s public disclosure of a Stage IV prostate cancer diagnosis, which was announced just days ago. Medical experts now suggest that Biden may have been battling the disease for several years—raising new questions about the validity of previous health reports from the White House.
In his letter to Dr. O’Connor, Comer questioned the physician’s repeated assurances to the American people regarding Biden’s cognitive health, especially in light of reports that the cancer had been undiagnosed—or undisclosed—for a prolonged period.
“Given your connections with the Biden family, the committee seeks to understand if you contributed to an effort to hide former President Biden’s fitness to serve from the American people,” the letter stated.
Autopen Use Scrutinized
The presidential autopen, a mechanical device used to reproduce the president’s signature, is a legally sanctioned tool for signing legislation and other official documents in certain circumstances. However, its use is tightly regulated and expected to occur only with the express direction of the president.
An analysis from the conservative Heritage Foundation’s Oversight Project has found what it describes as an “alarming pattern” of increased autopen use during Biden’s final two years in office—even on days when he was reportedly present in the Oval Office and capable of signing documents himself.
Critics allege that this trend may indicate that aides were using the autopen without Biden’s direct involvement, potentially invalidating those signatures if proven to be unauthorized.
Stage-Managed Presidency?
The investigation also touches on broader concerns about the way Biden’s presidency was managed during his final months in office. According to reporting from the Washington Times and details in recently published insider accounts, some of the aides now under scrutiny were allegedly tasked with controlling access to the president, scripting his public appearances, and even making policy decisions in his stead.
GOP lawmakers have likened the situation to a modern-day regency—where a small cadre of advisers effectively wielded presidential power without accountability.
“This isn’t just about paperwork,” one senior Republican staffer told The Epoch Times. “If these allegations are true, we’re talking about a breakdown in constitutional governance—about unelected staffers running the country behind closed doors.”
Next Steps and Legislative Action
In addition to the ongoing investigation, Rep. Comer said that the committee is considering new legislation to ensure greater transparency and oversight of a sitting president’s physical and cognitive fitness.
Among the proposals being discussed are:
-
Mandatory independent medical evaluations for presidents over the age of 75.
-
Limits on the use of the autopen, including real-time documentation of presidential approval.
-
A bipartisan medical review board with authority to recommend temporary transfer of power under the 25th Amendment.
“No one wants to politicize health,” Comer said. “But we also cannot allow the executive branch to operate in the shadows while critical decisions are being made on behalf of the nation.”
Democrats Denounce “Witch Hunt”
Democratic lawmakers have swiftly denounced the probe as a politically motivated attempt to distract from ongoing legal challenges facing Donald Trump and his allies.
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), the ranking Democrat on the Oversight Committee, called the investigation “a desperate sideshow designed to smear a former president who served with dignity and resolve.”
So far, the Biden team has not issued a formal response to the interview requests, though legal experts expect court battles if the former aides or physician refuse to cooperate voluntarily.
As the inquiry escalates, it adds yet another layer of controversy to Biden’s post-presidency—and potentially sets the stage for a constitutional debate over who holds power in moments of presidential incapacity.
Whether the autopen was a practical necessity or the centerpiece of a broader cover-up is a question now squarely in the hands of Congress—and perhaps the courts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg1eg3azCQw
